Every now and again, someone – be it an old college friend, your second cousin you haven’t seen since you were kids or even your parents – will visit you from out of town and need to stay overnight at your place. Whether you’re in your first apartment or in a home you’ve lived at for years, it’s important that your guest feels comfortable and like they can be themselves. And while you may not be the Four Seasons, you certainly want to leave a lasting impression when someone stays with you overnight.

Here are 5 ways to make an overnight guest feel at home.

PROVIDE FRESH LINENS

Traveling can definitely take a toll on you – everything from a red eye flight or even a long road trip can leave you exhausted and ready to unwind from the day. There’s nothing like clean sheets and towels to make you feel welcomed and even excited to decompress in a place that’s not yours.

When it comes to linens, I like to keep bed sheets light in color (see: white, beige, camel or gray) to feel even more fresh. It’s also easy to tell if there are any spills or dirt that needs to cleaned. Making sure that your guest has a flat sheet, fitted sheet and fresh pillow cases will certainly provide them with a good night’s rest. (Even if it’s on a pull out and airbed!)

Towels should be white, as it gives the ultimate feeling of freshness. (Plus, dyes from colored towels can be harmful or at the very least, dry your skin out more.) Provide your guest with a bath and hand towel folded neatly on their guest bed or in the room they’ll be staying. That way when they’re ready to take a shower, they don’t have to ask.

BUY FOOD THEY LIKE

Not everyone cooks, so if it isn’t your thing, don’t feel like it’s your duty to cook a 5 course meal for your guest. However, if you do cook dinner and they will be there during dinner time, be sure to consider their dietary needs and preferences. You should do this for any meal you cook while they stay with you.

When one of my best friends visited me from out of town last year, I bought some coffee so she would have some to drink in the morning. (I didn’t have my Keurig at the time and wasn’t into coffee.) Because I know her well, I knew what to buy, but don’t be afraid to ask your guest what they prefer to eat or if they have allergies. Even if they insist that you shouldn’t worry about it, they will certainly appreciate the thought. And just for the heck of it, buy a little dessert or bottle of wine to offer during their stay.

GIVE THEM A CARD AND/OR SMALL GIFT

Because I love receiving gifts, I have found just as much pleasure in giving them as well. When your guest gets to your place, having a little card for them to reassure that they should feel at home is always a nice touch. If you have more of a budget and are close to your overnight, a small, thoughtful gift can go a long way as well. When my best friend stayed with me last year – you know, the one I mentioned earlier who loves coffee? – I made a little basket for her. In the basket, I included a coffee mug that she could drink her morning coffee out of, a candle as a souvenir, a card saying “feel at home!,” and included her bath towels.

It was important to me that she did in fact feel comfortable, even though we had been friends for years, I still wanted to make the stay special. It’s sort of easy to get bent out of shape when someone asks to stay with us. But I always feel honored that someone trusts to lay their head at my home during a trip. So, I make it my business to not only say “yes” if I’m available, but to also make them feel special. A handwritten card and small gift does just the trick.

HAVE TOILETRIES AVAILABLE + GIVE ACCESS TO THINGS THAT MAY RUN OUT

Sometimes when we travel, we forget things. (I KNOW I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE.) And I always want my guests to feel like even if they did, I got their back. I always head to the travel toiletries at the drugstore when I’m expecting a guest and grab a handful of things – toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, soap/body wash, etc. The best part is because they are travel size they usually only cost about a dollar each. I’ll then make sure to put them in the [guest] bathroom and let them know that extra toiletries are available if needed. (You’d be surprised that they usually always are.)

It’s also important to provide extras – think toilet paper, hand soap, etc. – and inform your guest where they can find things should they run out. We’ve all been in a situation where the toilet paper ran out at an awkward time, so knowing where to find more is a major key.

SHARE YOUR SCHEDULE + SHOW THEM HOW TO USE THINGS

When I hosted my best friend, she was very busy – she was out early and came in late. To ensure we were on the same page, I informed her of what I had going on the days she stayed over. When it comes to your schedule, consider answering the following question for your overnight guest to avoid confusion:

What time does your day start/do you go to work?
How can they reach you during the day?
Is there a spare key they can use so they don’t have to bother you in the morning/at night?
What time does your day end/will you be home?
It’s also important to make sure your guest has the wi-fi information and knows to use gadgets and/or appliances made available to them. (Be clear on this.) Whether it’s your TV or fancy espresso machine, take a few extra minutes to walk them through this information. Again, it will prevent them having to awkwardly ask when you aren’t available but they want to drink coffee or watch TV.

Part of adulting is having overnight guests. And you’ll start to realize that the bigger your space (or the closer you live to the city) you’ll start to have friends and family ask to stay with you more. While it will take some effort, making sure their stay is heartfelt ensuring they felt at home will make them feel special and appreciated.